Determining optimal cadence for an individual road cyclist from field data

The cadence that maximises power output developed at the crank by an individual cyclist is conventionally determined using a laboratory test. The purpose of this study was two-fold: (i) to show that such a cadence, which we call the optimal cadence, can be determined using power output, heart-rate, and cadence measured in the field and (ii) to describe methodology to do so. For an individual cyclist's sessions, power output is related to cadence and the elicited heart-rate using a non-linear regression model. Optimal cadences are found for two riders (83 and 70 revolutions per minute, respectively); these cadences are similar to the riders’ preferred cadences (82–92?rpm and 65–75?rpm). Power output reduces by approximately 6% for cadences 20?rpm above or below optimum. Our methodology can be used by a rider to determine an optimal cadence without laboratory testing intervention: the rider will need to collect power output, heart-rate, and cadence measurements from training and racing sessions over an extended period (>6 months); ride at a range of cadences within those sessions; and calculate his/her optimal cadence using the methodology described or a software tool that implements it

A filter spectrometer concept for facsimile cameras

A concept which utilizes interference filters and photodetector arrays to integrate spectrometry with the basic imagery function of a facsimile camera is described and analyzed. The analysis considers spectral resolution, instantaneous field of view, spectral range, and signal-to-noise ratio. Specific performance predictions for the Martian environment, the Viking facsimile camera design parameters, and a signal-to-noise ratio for each spectral band equal to or greater than 256 indicate the feasibility of obtaining a spectral resolution of 0.01 micrometers with an instantaneous field of view of about 0.1 deg in the 0.425 micrometers to 1.025 micrometers range using silicon photodetectors. A spectral resolution of 0.05 micrometers with an instantaneous field of view of about 0.6 deg in the 1.0 to 2.7 micrometers range using lead sulfide photodetectors is also feasible

Design and evaluation of a filter spectrometer concept for facsimile cameras

The facsimile camera is an optical-mechanical scanning device which was selected as the imaging system for the Viking '75 lander missions to Mars. A concept which uses an interference filter-photosensor array to integrate a spectrometric capability with the basic imagery function of this camera was proposed for possible application to future missions. This paper is concerned with the design and evaluation of critical electronic circuits and components that are required to implement this concept. The feasibility of obtaining spectroradiometric data is demonstrated, and the performance of a laboratory model is described in terms of spectral range, angular and spectral resolution, and noise-equivalent radiance

Spectrometer integrated with a facsimile camera

This invention integrates a spectrometer capability with the basic imagery function of facsimile cameras without significantly increasing mechanical or optical complexity, or interfering with the imaging function. The invention consists of a group of photodetectors arranged in a linear array in the focal plane of the facsimile camera with a separate narrow band interference filter centered over each photodetector. The interference filter photodetector array is on a line in the focal plane of the facsimile camera along the direction of image motion due to the rotation of the facsimile camera's vertical mirror. As the image of the picture element of interest travels down the interference filter photodetector array, the photodetector outputs are synchronously selected and sampled to provide spectral information on the single picture element

Lechenaultia peregrina, a new species of Goodeniaceae from northern Australia, New Guinea and the Moluccas

Morphological studies of Lechenaultia filiformis R.Br. have determined that more than one taxon is presently included under that name. We here recognise disjunct populations from north-east Queensland, north-east Northern Territory, New Guinea and the Moluccas as a new species, Lechenaultia peregrina R.W.Jobson & R.L.Barrett. This is the third tropical species of Lechenaultia currently recognised, however further studies are required to assess the status of about five additional entities in the Northern Territory and Western Australia currently included in L. filiformis s.l. Seed article morphology is critical for species delimitation in tropical Lechenaultia, but seed articles are often absent from collections, or only immature, as they fall quickly once ripe

An analysis of the facsimile-camera response to radiant point sources

In addition to imaging the surrounding terrain, planetary lander cameras may also be used to survey the stars to aid in locating the lander site. The response of the facsimile camera, which was selected for the Viking lander missions to Mars, to a radiant point source is formulated and shown to result in a statistical rather than deterministic signal. The signal statistics are derived and magnitudes are evaluated for the brighter visual and red stars. The probability of detecting the resultant statistical signals in photosensor and preamplifier noise and the associated probability of false alarms are also determined

Validity and reliability of critical power field testing

PURPOSE To test the validity and reliability of field critical power (CP). METHOD Laboratory CP tests comprised three exhaustive trials at intensities of 80, 100 and 105 % maximal aerobic power and CP results were compared with those determined from the field. Experiment 1: cyclists performed three CP field tests which comprised maximal efforts of 12, 7 and 3 min with a 30 min recovery between efforts. Experiment 2: cyclists performed 3 × 3, 3 × 7 and 3 × 12 min individual maximal efforts in a randomised order in the field. Experiment 3: the highest 3, 7 and 12 min power outputs were extracted from field training and racing data. RESULTS Standard error of the estimate of CP was 4.5, 5.8 and 5.2 % for experiments 1-3, respectively. Limits of agreement for CP were -26 to 29, 26 to 53 and -34 to 44 W for experiments 1-3, respectively. Mean coefficient of variation in field CP was 2.4, 6.5 and 3.5 % for experiments 1-3, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients of the three repeated trials for CP were 0.99, 0.96 and 0.99 for experiments 1-3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest field-testing using the different protocols from this research study, produce both valid and reliable CP values

A New Model for the Evolution of Carnivory in the Bladderwort Plant (Utricularia) : Adaptive Changes in Cytochrome c Oxidase (COX) Provide Respiratory Power

The evolution of carnivorous plants has been modeled as a selective tradeoff between photosynthetic costs and benefits in nutrient-poor habitats. Although possibly applicable for pitfall and flypaper trappers, more variables may be required for active trapping systems. Bladderwort (Utricularia) suction traps react to prey stimuli with an extremely rapid release of elastic instability. Trap setting requires considerable energy to engage an active ion transport process whereby water is pumped out through the thin bladder walls to create negative internal pressure. Accordingly, empirical estimates have shown that respiratory rates in bladders are far greater than in leafy structures. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is a multi-subunit enzyme that catalyzes the respiratory reduction of oxygen to water and couples this reaction to translocation of protons, generating a transmembrane electrochemical gradient that is used for the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We have previously demonstrated that two contiguous cysteine residues in helix 3 of COX subunit I (COX I) have evolved under positive Darwinian selection. This motif, absent in = 99.9 % of databased COX I proteins from eukaryotes, Archaea, and Bacteria, lies directly at the docking point of COX I helix 3 and cytochrome c . Modeling of bovine COX I suggests the possibility that a vicinal disulfide bridge at this position could cause premature helix termination. The helix 3–4 loop makes crucial contacts with the active site of COX, and we postulate that the C–C motif might cause a conformational change that decouples (or partly decouples) electron transport from proton pumping. Such decoupling would permit bladderworts to optimize power output (which equals energy times rate) during times of need, albeit with a 20 % reduction in overall energy efficiency of the respiratory chain. A new model for the evolution of bladderwort carnivory is proposed that includes respiration as an additional tradeoff parameter.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74764/1/s-2006-924459.pd

From the Big Bang to a sustainable earth community: working with the universe story in Australian community and tertiary education

In the context of increasing concerns about the health of the planet, this thesis set out to explore approaches that aim to empower people to preserve the life support systems that sustain not just humans but all living things. Inspired by the work of Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme, the thesis examines the proposition that gaining a broader sense of the cosmos and Earth can encourage humans to fundamentally re-think and value all of life in more celebrated, ethical and mutually beneficial ways. The separate and combined work of Berry and Swimme is large and complex, but it is best exemplified in The Universe Story (1992), in which Berry and Swimme propose a respectful appreciation of the limitations of objective science that can transcend the dualisms that currently divide science and spirituality, and that perceive humans as separate from ecosystems and nature. This, in turn, can lead to the adoption of what they have called a ‘functional cosmology’, which conceives of all life as being subjective and interactive. While the author has aimed to distil the work of Berry and Swimme into a concise set of concepts for the purposes of this study, the thesis does not aim to critique the work itself. Rather, the thesis explores a range of attempts that have been made in Australian community and tertiary educational contexts to put into practice the ideas put forward by Berry and Swimme. This thesis critically examines these efforts in order to ascertain the work’s applicability and effectiveness across local social contexts, and the problems that arise in the attempts of four contrasting Australian educational contexts which work with ideas derived from Berry and Swimme, either directly or indirectly. The thesis is based on conversations with people within those educational contexts about how they have interpreted and worked with ideas selected from the body of work of the two theorists. The researcher was particularly interested in the extent to which these people are able to relate ideas taken from Berry and Swimme to their daily life practices. The focus on consciously changing daily practice led the researcher to adopt a phenomenological/critical hermeneutic approach to the research design. A blend of qualitative and quantitative research methods was used to enable the education participants to express their thoughts and feelings in a range of ways. Based on a wide-ranging review of international literature on ecological education, the researcher selected work that seems to complement or fill gaps in the work of Berry and Swimme. Ideas taken from selected scholars are brought into a final discussion of what can be learnt from the examination of attempts made to work with the ideas of Berry and Swimme in Australian settings

Drosera stipularis, a new species for the D. petiolaris complex from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland

Across tropical northern Australia 14 Drosera species are recognised within the D. petiolaris complex. The complex is placed in section Lasiocephala; a group of perennial sundews mostly characterised by an indumentum of white hairs upon the petiole. Here we describe a new species for the complex, D. stipularis Baleeiro, R.W.Jobson & R.L.Barrett, which is known only from white-sand habitats on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. The new species is allied to D. petiolaris R.Br. ex DC. and D. lanata K.Kondo